st edmund dartford parish profile revised · parish profile, st edmund’s dartford 2017 revised...

PARISH Profile

St. Edmund’s,

Dartford

Parish Profile, St Edmund’s Dartford 2017 Revised

Parish Profile, St Edmund’s Dartford 2017

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PROFILE Contents 2 Contents; some photos of Church Life

Parish Barn Dance (2015)

Congregation Bring & Share (2015)

Parish Christmas Fayre (2016)

60th Anniversary (2015) – Photo Exhibition and a concert by singer/songwriter Tallulah Rendall

3 Who we’re looking for – New Vicar 4 Living Well Organisation Chart 5 Yesterday and Today – Our History 6 Yesterday and Today – Our History 7 Parish & Information: Transport, shopping, schools & housing 8 The Vicarage 9 Parish & Local Information: Light’ and ‘Dark’ (Issues) 10 Parish & Local Information: Other Activities – What’s On @ St Edmund’s Living Well/The Winter Shelter/Our Twin Parish Kikore, Tanzania/and The Diocesan Finances 11 Parish Overview – 2011 Census Data Dartford, Kent 12 Parish Overview – 2011 Census Data Voting Wards in the Parish 13 Tomorrow: Congregation Feedback St Edmund’s in 1 year 14 Tomorrow: Congregation Feedback St Edmund’s in 5 & 10 years 15 Directory – St Edmund’s Staff Details 16 Directory – Centre Staff, Deanery Diocesan details 17 Contact details for St Edmund’s

Harvest Festival 2015 – Collection for the

Women’s Refuge



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WHo WE’RE LOOKING FOR • A Priest-in-Charge with a strong sense of prayer an d mission,

led by the Holy Spirit, with a servant heart for th e congregation and for the communities of Temple Hill, The Phoenix Quarter, East Hill, The Bridge and Fleet Estate. A team play er with a good sense of humour

• A Priest-in-Charge who will lead us innovatively an d creatively in worship, prayer and a ministry of healing – we s eek a Shepherd

• A Priest-in-Charge who will manage the staff team e mployed by St Edmunds with effectiveness and grace, playing a collaborative and forward-looking role as Partner a longside the other managers of the Living Well Centre (see organ isation chart on page 4).

• A Priest-in-Charge in agreement with our policy of

Inclusiveness. St Edmunds and St Albans are both me mbers of Inclusive Church (http://inclusive-church.org.uk), and of OneBodyOneFaith (http://www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk/ ) – we welcome everyone

• A Priest-in-Charge who has a friendly, empathetic a nd welcoming attitude towards all – believers and non- believers alike

• A Priest-in-Charge with a heart for families (of wh atever shape), young people and children, who will hold us togethe r by balancing the needs of younger congregation members with those of the older members

• A Priest-in-Charge who is prepared to promote and p articipate in the social life of the parishes.

MIGHT THIS BE YOU..?



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YESTERDAY AND TODAY

The Parish church of St Edmund King and Martyr, Temple Hill was created in 1955 as a church plant from St Albans, Dartford. The original pre-fabricated green hut was replaced by a post-war concrete church, which was closed and demolished in 2002. While the new church was being built, we worshipped in Temple Hill School. In 2004, the new ‘St Edmund’s Church Living Well’ was opened. The octagonal worship space is flexible and encourages creativity. To reflect the liturgical season, and to refresh our worship, we regularly change the position of the altar and seating, and use visual aids including for example, a barren tree for Advent, a Jesse tree for Christmas, and the removal of all images and symbols at our Maunday Thursday evening service. The worship space includes two modern artworks of Jesus by the Japanese artist Tomoya Yamaguchi, and a recently installed fabric

screen, in church season colours, behind the usual position of the altar. The worship space has a modern sound system and projection screen, is furnished with wooden, cushioned and comfortable seating, and is fully carpeted and under-floor heated. Formerly a chapel, the refreshed prayer space contains chairs, a branch for prayer requests, a remembrance book, a candlestand and artwork. People from within the congregation and from the Temple Hill community regularly use this space for prayer and to light candles. A prayer chain, via email and telephone, provides regular updates of current prayer requests. The Daily Offices are said at 9am and 6pm each weekday in the Prayer Space. This opens onto a small but well-tended remembrance garden, used for the internment of ashes. There is a small vestry/quiet room suitable for meetings, which also

includes a newly-installed shower room, mainly for use by Winter Shelter guests. Sunday worship is at 10am and is a Eucharist using Common Worship. This service is occasionally all-age, and has an average attendance of 35 people. We regularly welcome a group from Shore Lodge Care Home (Leonard Cheshire Disability) to our Sunday worship. We have a music group of six singers (on a rota) who lead worship at the Sunday service, usually using Songs of Fellowship, with a mixture of choruses and traditional hymns. Music is on an I-Pad with words projected onto the screen. We draw on a number of traditions, worship styles and are open to insights and renewal from across a broad range of Christian experience. Generally liberal in theology, our worship is Eucharistic, and our clergy always wear vestments. As an Inclusive Church, we readily welcome female celebrants. We value



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YESTERDAY AND TODAY

collaborative ministry and always seek to develop and support individuals as they explore vocational calling. We have been a teaching parish for many years, and hope to continue this tradition with homegroups and Bible classes. There is a 9.30am communion and healing service every Thursday with a regular attendance of 10. There are three discipleship groups. Two are weekly (Wednesday evening (composed mainly of members of the Music Group) and Thursday morning (composed mainly of members who attend the Thursday service). Both groups have around 6 members each and follow a programme of biblically-based material. The group (CHILL) meets monthly (9 members). It explores Biblical issues and themes and seeks to relate them to modern-day application. Little Edz meets once a month during Sunday worship, and is staffed by a small team of volunteers.

Children attend on an occasional basis. Little Edz uses ROOTS Children & Young People magazine as a guide. All activities are biblically based, and as far as possible; mirror the themes of the adult congregation. They generally stay for the opening hymn, returning at the Peace, and are often encouraged by the clergy to help with the preparation of the Eucharist and to share what they’ve done and learned. Edz Kidz has been meeting weekly at the church for about 14 years, and began as the result of a group of young people coming to listen to music group rehearsals. Initially the group was quite large, perhaps a little too large for the volunteers who ran it! It now has 7 regular members, aged 9 upwards. Termly activities are run in the church hall, the worship space and occasionally the Youth Centre. Although numbers are few, it is this group of young people whose parents have in the past become Café volunteers and attended

‘Messy’ Church (run in the past), whilst our former curate ran ‘Tea Time with God’ during the school term. There are currently 66 people on the electoral roll thus the Parochial Church Council has nine elected members from the congregation. Our accepted practice is for churchwardens to be in office for four years, but they are (re-) elected annually at the APCM each April. The PCC meets 6 times a year, and aims to complete all agenda business within 90 minutes. Meetings begin with a short act of worship/prayer. Lent Courses In recent years, clergy have hosted and run Lent Courses, based upon those published by York Courses. Members of St Albans and Temple Hill Baptist have attended and participated. Church Finances The Diocese approved our Independent Examiners Audit and thus our 2015 Accounts are signed off. The link below provides details:

http://www.stedmundsdartford.co.uk/Publisher/File.aspx?ID=179083



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Parish & Local Information:

Transport, Shopping, Schools &

HOUSING

An interactive map/satellite image of the Parish ca n be found @ https://www.achurchnearyou.com/st-edmunds-church-li ving-well-dartford

Transport: There are excellent transport links to London and elsewhere; Temple Hill is close to major road (M25/M2/M23) and rail networks: South Eastern Trains from Dartford Station (www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/station-information/DFD) and from Ebbsfleet International (18 mins to Kings Cross St Pancras - ebbsfleetintl.co.uk/) and for trains, via the Channel Tunnel, to the Continent. Gatwick (www.gatwickairport.com) and Heathrow (www.heathrow.com) airports are 37 and 57 mile drives away respectively from the church building via the M25 South. There are also regular and reliable bus services to and from Temple Hill. Shopping: Both Tesco and the Co-op have shops near to the church, and there are a range of shops on Temple Hill Square – all walking distance. Dartford Town Centre is about a mile away – Boots, W.H. Smith and Primark all have shops there. Bluewater (www.bluewater.co.uk) retail park (pictured), is some 5 miles away from the church building by car, whilst intu Lakeside (intu.co.uk/lakeside) retail park, is some 7 miles away via the Dartford Tunnel/Queen Elizabeth II Toll Bridge. Schools: The community is well served by schools. The nearest to the church is Temple Hill Primary Academy and Nursery School (www.temple-hill.kent.sch.uk). We have, in the past, worked closely with it in delivering the National Curriculum RE units of work on Christianity as well as assemblies and events marking the Christian calendar. In the past itl has welcomed members of the clergy onto its governing body. There is a local Church of England Primary School outside of the parish, and also a Catholic primary school within the parish. Kent remains selective at Key Stage 3 and Dartford and Wilmington have four single sex Grammar schools between them. The selective education system remains a key-contributing factor for many families in the area. There are also several non-selective secondary schools and academies. Housing: Since 1990, there have been a significant number of new homes built in the community, including over 1,500 new homes at ‘The Bridge’ in 2007 (www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/find-your-home/england/kent/dartford/the-bridge) and the ongoing construction on Temple Hill itself of many family homes (www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/kent/H674001-Phoenix-Quarter/) and of 25 Council homes for rent next to Temple Hill Square – all part of St Edmund’s Parish.



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THE VICARAGE

The vicarage is a bright, modern detached house. It has four large bedrooms (one en-suite) and one family bathroom with a bath and a walk-in shower. It also has a sitting room and a drawing room with French doors into the garden. The large kitchen diner can be used for entertaining, with an adjoining utility room, which leads into an established and largely lawned garden. Next to the

entrance hall is a self-contained study, and there is also a downstairs toilet. There is a double garage, and the gated forecourt has room for several cars. The vicarage is situated next door to the church.



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PArish & Local Information:

‘LIGHT & DARK’

‘Light’ - Temple Hill Development Trust

Temple Hill Community Forum began as a community initiative in the mid 1990’s, led by the Church, to provide a forum for local people to discuss topics of concern to them. This became the Temple Hill Development Trust (www.templehilltrust.org.uk/tht/) in the mid-2000’s, and has since become a ‘company limited by guarantee’. It continues to hold regular networking lunches for agencies working in and for the community attracting 35 attendees. It serves the 4,000 plus households of the Temple Hill Estate and between the Dartford Marshes and Dartford Town Centre, which is a little over a mile from the church building. The Trust has transformed the former Joyce Green Smallpox cemetery into an Enchanted Woodland to provide a community space. The Trustees, through a development officer, volunteers and maintain the eco-system and run Forrest Schools for local Primary schools, manage the woodland. www.facebook.com/templehilltrust/?fref=ts

‘dark’ - temple hill

Substance MISuse/LITTER

There are issues with substance abuse – drugs primarily. St Edmunds Living Well, via the Healthy Living Centre, offers advice and support with quitting smoking, cutting alcohol consumption, weight management and addressing substance misuse. The following links provide further details: www.hlcdartford.btck.co.uk/ www.dartford.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/61165/substance_misuse_directory.pdf There are issues too with littering. Volunteers, both from the church and from the community, have organised from time-to-time ‘pick-up’ groups to pick up litter and despose of it properly. The local council has made provision for recycling for domestic waste via bins and a major recycling centre which all Dartford residents can use. The following link provides further details: www.kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/rubbish-and-recycling/find-your-nearest-tip/dartford Child poverty (physical and emotional) has been the subject of recent discussion with Dartford Borough Council in which we were involved with multiple agencies in raising issues on Temple Hill, especially those of young single parents. Befriending, supporting and offering classes in lifeskills has been an aim of the Healthy Living Centre and an area of further development.



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Parish & LOCAL INFORMATION:

OTHER ACTIVITIES

WHAT’s ON @ ST EDMUND’S LIVING WELL

The Health Living Centre offers regular weekly activities, ad hoc adult education courses and the open daily Community Café. Amongst the regular activities are health classes (Zumba Aerobics, Supple Strength, Stop Smoking), IT classes (Beginners & Intermediate) and Job Club/Job Search. Ad hoc courses include emergency first aid, Why Weight and assertiveness. There is also a women’s group (Temple Belles). SureStart Children’s Centre offers information, advice and support to parents, as well as integrated childcare and early learning, health services, family support and parental outreach.

THE WINTER SHELTER @ ST EDMUND’S

Between the beginning of January through to the end of March, we open our doors to (as one of five Winter Shelters in Dartford) the homeless who receive a welcoming place to sleep, an evening meal, a cooked breakfast, a shower and the opportunity (if they want) to talk/chat/play board games.

Email: [email protected]

The following links contain more information: www.facebook.com/Dartford-Churches-Cold-Weather-Shelter-690453827720700/

www.stedmundsdartford.co.uk/Groups/249024/Homeless_Shelter.aspx

OUR TWIN PARISH: KIKORE, KONDOA DIOCESE, TANZANIA

The following links contain more information: www.rochester.anglican.org/mission/overseas-links/

www.stedmundsdartford.co.uk/Articles/474121/News_from_our.aspx

The DIOCESAN FINANCES

As reported earlier this year, the Diocese of Rochester had to freeze clergy stipends, abandon rectory repairs and planned to rent out unused vicarages to private tenants in a bid not to run out of money. (The link to ‘Christian Today’ has more details). The Diocese has made available a Powerpoint presentation to explain the situation and its solutions. (The link to ‘guidance-notes/’ will enable viewing). As a partial consequence, the Diocese is developing a strategic framework called ‘Our Conversation; Our Future’. (The link to ‘strategic-framework/’ has more details).

www.christiantoday.com/article/historic.church.of.england.diocese.runs.out.of.cash/90171.htm

http://rochester.anglican.org/resources/finance/guidance-notes/

http://rochester.anglican.org/strategy/strategic-framework/



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Parish Overview – 2011 Census

Data on DARTFORD

http://localstats.co.uk/census-demographics/england/south-east/dartford

• In the 2011 census the population was 97,365 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age is 38, while the median age is lower at 37.

• 87.3% of people were born in England. Other top answers

for country of birth include: 1.4% India, 0.9% Nigeria, 0.7% Scotland, 0.7% Ireland, 0.5% Sri Lanka, 0.5% Wales, 0.4% South Africa, 0.3% Philippines

• 94.3% of people speak English. Other top languages spoken include: 1.1% Polish,

0.5% Panjabi, 0.4% Tamil, 0.3% Tagalog/Filipino

• The religious make up is 60.6% Christian, 26.7% No religion, 1.6% Muslim, 1.6% Hindu, 1.6% Sikh, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.1% Jewish, 0.1% Agnostic. 6,391 people did not state a religion. 355 people identified as a Jedi Knight and 9 people said they believe in Heavy Metal.

• 46.0% of people are married, 13.1% cohabit with a

member of the opposite sex, 0.7% live with a partner of the same sex, 24.8% are single and have never married or been in a registered same sex partnership, 8.5% are separated or divorced. There are 4,746 widowed people.

• Top occupations: Administrative and secretarial 14.7%, Professional 14.6%, Skilled

trades 12.6%, Associate professional and technical 12.4%, Administrative 10.6%, Managers, directors and senior officials 10.3%, Elementary 10.0%, Sales/customer service 9.1%, Caring, leisure 8.9%, Elementary administration/ service 8.9%.

• In the Referendum on EU Membership, Dartford voted Leave – 35,878 for, and Remain

– 19,985 for. Turnout was 75.5%.

Dartford Borough Council

http://www.dartford.gov.uk/

Member of parliament

for dartford

Gareth Johnson MP (Conservative)

http://www.garethjohnsondartford.co.uk/

Kent county council

http://www.kent.gov.uk/



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Parish Overview – 2011 Census

Data on Dartford http://localstats.co.uk/census-demographics/england/south-east/dartford

Wards covered by the Parish of St Edmund’s Joyce Green is a ward in Dartford and includes areas of Temple Hill. In the 2011 census the population was 4,646 and is made up of approximately 52% females and 48% males. The average age of people is 34, while the median age is lower at 31. 85.9% of people were born in England.

Joyce green ward – councillors

Dr bachchu kaini & mark maddison (both labour)

Littlebrook is a ward in Dartford and includes areas of Temple Hill. In the 2011 census the population was 4,416 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people is 36, while the median age is lower at 34. 84.4% of people were born in England.

littlebrook ward – councillors

tom Maddison & daisy page (both Labour)

2011 Census COfE conclusions On St. Edmund’s

The full set of CofE data on St Edmunds, from which the above graphic has been taken as an example, has been taken from @ 310094 Dartford St Edmund King and Martyr.pdf



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TOMORROW

The content that follows was compiled from responses received from a written consultation with the congregation undertaken in August 2016 at the formal start of the Interregnum. It was set under three headings: “Where would you like to see St Edmund’s in…

ONE YEAR?” New incumbent being given the time and support to find his/her feet! After one year, ask incumbent to set out their ministry goals for St Edmunds and St Albans for the following 4-5 years Continuing to be All-Inclusive with members of the congregation continuing to attend London Pride annually Restarting and developing Messy Church/Tea Time With God Outreach to Parish – Meals & Socials (eg Barn Dances, Quiz Nights, Film Nights, Remembrance Service, Christmas Fayre, Advent & Christmas services/activities) More helpers in services and a greater focus on calling into service/ministry Greater focus on children’s ministry/outreach events (https://www.facebook.com/templehill.youthclub?fref=ts) More collaborative working/joint projects with our Living Well Partners and Dartford Borough Council Continue to reduce financial deficits Greater rental use of the Worship Space and Centre to outside organisations and individuals so that more income is received more regularly (working with Centre Co-ordinator) Continuation of three-month Winter Shelter/Outreach to the homeless Bible Classes – have been run previously (Curate/Reader leading)



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“Where would you like to see St Edmund’s in…

FIVE YEARS?”

A growing congregation A serving rather than served congregation An outward-facing congregation Parishioners connecting with the Church > God in a range of ways, and most significantly through Eucharistic practice aimed at taking God to the people, not just bringing the people to God Every member of the congregation in a House Group Believer’s baptism by immersion be available to those who want it Regular Taize-style services/Openness to other creative worship and prayer Shelter for the homeless open six months of the year A Mission Action Plan – regularly reviewed and revised

“Where would you like to see St Edmund’s in…

TEN YEARS?”

A flourishing congregation where growth is ongoing Financially independent Plenty of organised activities for children Full-time youth worker A 24/7 365 Shelter for the homeless Community needs helped via drop-in centres across the Parish An ongoing and developing Messy Church A monthly Taize-style reflective service Biannual Parish Weekends



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DIRECTORY

St EDMUND’S Staff &

CENTRE PARTNERS 2017

churchwardens & treasurer

Lorraine Bathgate (Churchwarden)

Arthur Saldanha (Churchwarden)

Ian Anderson (Treasurer)

laITy

Margaret Drury (Reader)

Andrew Carr (Reader)

THE PCC (Elected AT THE 2017 APCM)

Lorraine Bathgate (Acting Chair)

Jacke y Kent

Arthur Saldanha

Joan Marr

Ian Anderson

Roger Shuff

Sharon Earl (PCC Secretary)

(Deanery Synod Representative)

Margaret Drury (Ex-Officio)

Janet Gunner Andrew Carr (Deanery Synod Representative)

(Ex-Officio)



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Directory

CENTRE STAFF

David Mote (Living Well Co-Ordinator)

Janet Jones (Parish Administrator)

Martin Baker (Caretaker)

Tina Fuller (Caretaker)

Tina Haines (Caretaker)

living well Centre partners

Sharon Phillips Manager, Healthy Living Centre Dartford

Ros Woodyard Practice Manager, NHS Temple Hill Surgery

Faye Newman Delivery Manager, Sure Start Children’s Centre, Tem ple Hill, Dartford

DARTFORD DEANERY

DEAN: Rev Kenneth Clark, St mary the virgin, stone

http://www.stmarystone.org/#!contact-the-rector/c1ajq

ROCHESTER DIOCESE

BISHOP: The Rt rev james langstaff

http://www.rochester.anglican.org/



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YOUR PARISH?

St. Edmund’s Living Well St. Edmund’s Road

Temple Hill, Dartford Kent DA1 5ND

01322 311201

[email protected]

www.stedmundsdartford.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/Stedmundsdartford

www.facebook.com/Tea-Time-with-God-St-Edmunds-Church-345452752298261/

www.flickr.com/photos/128971358@N06/

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